LEPIDOPTERA. 289 



Sesia, 



Where the antennae arc terminated by a little txift of scales. The 

 wings are horizontal and marked with transparent spots. The 

 scales of the posterior extremity of the abdomen form a brush. Se- 

 veral of these Insects bear a close resemblance to Wasps or other 

 Hymenoptera, to Diptera, &e. * 



Thyris, Hoff. Illicj. 



The Thyrides resemble the Sesisc, but their antennae are much more 

 slender, almost setaceous, and destitute of the terminal tuft. Their 

 wings are angular and dentated. Their abdomen terminates in a 

 point. 



M. Bois-Duval, whose knowledge of Lepidoptera in general, and 

 of those in Europe particularly, is not inferior to that of our most ce- 

 lebrated entomologists, and who is about to publish a Monograph of 

 the Zygeenides, that has received the approbation of the Royal Aca- 

 demy of Sciences, has observed the metamorphosis of the most known 

 species f. 



^GOCERA, Lat., 



Where the antennse are also destitute of the tuft of scales, but evi- 

 dently thickened in their middle, and fusiform ; the second joint of 

 the inferior palpi is furnished with a bunch of hairs, projecting in the 

 form of a rostrum. The abdomen terminates in a simple point. The 

 wings are tectiform and entirely covered with scales. Their meta- 

 morphosis are unknown X- 



The fourth and last section of the Sphinges, that of the Zyg^nides, 

 is composed of Lepidoptera, in which the antenna?, always terminated 

 in a point destitute of a tuft, are sometimes simple in both sexes, fu- 

 siform or resembling a ram's horn, and sometimes but slightly 

 thickened in the middle, almost setaceous, pectinated in both sexes, 

 or at least in the males, and where the inferior palpi are of a mode- 

 rate size or small, almost cylindrical, and always formed of three dis- 

 tinct joints. The wings are almost tectiform, and exhibit transpa- 

 rent spots in many. There is no terminal brush to the abdomen. 

 The spurs of the posterior extremity are generally small. 



The caterpillars live exposed on various leguminous plants. They 

 are cylindrical, usually pilose, without a posterior horn, similar to 

 those of different species of Bombyx, and form a fusiform or ovoid 

 cocoon of silk, which they attach to the stems of plants. The habits 

 of these Insects have been well described by M. Bois-Duval, in the 

 work I have just mentioned. These Lepidoptera have been distin- 

 guished in France by the names of Sphinx-beliert, Papillons-plia- 

 lenes, &c. 



* See the Monographs of the Sesiee, hy Laspcyres, Hiibner, Godart, &c. 



-|- Sphinx fenestrina, Fab.; Lat., Ibid. 



X Bombyx venulia, Fab. See Lat., Gen. Crust, et Insect., IV, p. 211 ; Dalra. 

 Anal. Entom., p. 49; it would, perhaps, be more in confprmity with the natural 

 order, if this subgenus were placed near Agarista. 



